FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University men's and women's basketball teams will player their home openers on Monday night (Dec. 18) against Conference Carolinas foe Converse University in the newly renovated Smith University Center.

The twinbill will begin with the women's contest at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m.  Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students with FMU students being admitted free with ID.

The Smith University Center opened in 1974 and has been the home of Patriot basketball and volleyball since then.  Renovations included new seating for three-fourths of the arena with capacity now about 2,300.  The commons area of the building was also redone, as was the establishment of a new concessions area and a newly expanded weight room.

The Patriot women (5-4, 1-1) have won three straight, while Converse stands at 4-5 and 2-1 after wins in its last two games.

Senior center Lauryn Taylor leads FMU with 18.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, while junior forward Kiana Lee is averaging 11.4 ppg and 5.8 rpg.

The Patriots lead the all-time series 19-2.

The men's contest will feature two of the top scoring teams in Conference Carolinas.  Francis Marion is 3-7 overall and 1-1 in league play with an offense that is averaging 89.8 points per game.  Converse (8-1, 2-1) opened the season with eight consecutive wins before dropping its last game at Belmont Abbey College 81-81.  The Valkyries are averaging 87.2 ppg.

Senior forward Bryce Beamer paces three Patriots scoring in double digits with a 22.8 ppg average and he leads the team in rebounding at 8.0 rpg.

The all-time series is tied at 2-2.

Following Saturday's games, Francis Marion will break for the holidays.  The FMU women will play at NCAA Division I Charleston Southern University on Dec. 30 and both Patriots squads will return to conference play on Jan. 3 at the University of Mount Olive.